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JKH to the fore in combating HIV/AIDS

The John Keells Social Responsibility Foundation, the CSR arm of John Keells Holdings PLC, has spearheaded an islandwide awareness campaign to educate locals on the potential impact of HIV/AIDS on Sri Lanka.

The John Keells (JKH) HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign is a comprehensive, three-phase programme launched in 2005 and is the first such campaign to be undertaken by a local corporate in Sri Lanka.

The awareness project aims to inform people about the medical aspects of the disease while at the same time increasing their sensitivity towards the human/social dimension. The project is carried out in collaboration with the National STD/AIDS Control Programme of the Ministry of Health, International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

The first phase of the initiative (2005/06 and 2006/07) was dedicated to building awareness among the staff of John Keells Group companies.

The awareness programmes were devised to create awareness of HIV/AIDS, how it spreads and how it can be controlled as well as addressing the discrimination and stigma faced by HIV Positive people.

The Foundation also organised many activities both within and outside the John Keells Group to mark World AIDS Day which falls on 1st December.

The focus of the second phase (2006/07 and 2007/08) is on building awareness in the various high-risk business environments. The first community-based awareness session was an interactive workshop for tourist guides, three-wheeler drivers and tourist van drivers.

Currently, the Foundation is collaborating with Colombo and regional hoteliers’ associations to increase awareness among those closely associated with the tourism industry.

This phase will also see the development and implementation of the HIV/AIDS workplace program in and around the City hotels and resort hotels of the John Keells Group. In synchrony with these measures, JKH has stepped in as principal Sri Lankan corporate sponsor of the 8th ICAAP (International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific) held in Colombo.

ICAAP seeks to bring partner organisations under one roof to create dialogue on critical issues affecting the region and to discuss creating awareness, education, improved access to treatment, care and support and to lessen the impact of AIDS.

The John Keells Social Responsibility Foundation has in the lead up to ICAAP engaged in extensive awareness building, particularly among staff of City Hotels at which the majority of the ICAAP delegates would be accommodated.

A large number of hotel personnel have already benefited from these awareness sessions.

“JKH is committed to the role it has chosen to play in the country’s anti-AIDS drive through education and sensitization of our people and is now proud to synchronise its efforts on a regional level through its involvement with ICAAP,” said Sumithra Gunesekera, Executive Director, JKH and Head of CSR about JKH’s principal corporate sponsorship of ICAAP.

The Foundation, thr- ough its role as a member of the CSR Steering Committee of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, is also leading activities relating to Millennium Development Goal 6 - namely, Combating HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases.

The third phase of the Foundation’s comprehensive campaign is to be rolled out on a national level, incorporating island-wide awareness programs for the benefit of the general public.

Embarking on a mutli-pronged AIDS awareness-building programme of this nature has now firmly placed John Keells Social Responsibility Foundation in the forefront of the drive to combat AIDS in Sri Lanka.

Edexcel HND with SLIIT, a good value proposition

The Instititute of Information Technology (SLIIT) the largest degree awarding institute in ICT recognised by the University Grants Commission under the Universities Act is at the forefront of filling this void.

SLIIT provides students education for all profess levels from Diploma to Postgraduate Studies and the programmes are structured according to Prof Lalith Gamamge MD/CEO of SLIIT to provide entry and exit points depending on each students requirement.

Edexcel the UK awarding body provides real value to SLIIT students by validating the SLIIT Diplomas in IT, Information Systems and Computer Networks with the Edexcel (UK) BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) which allows students access to over 100 universities in the UK, Australia and USA to complete their studies.

The Edexcel BTEC HND Diploma has allowed over 60 students in the last two years to transfer to Sheffield Hallam University and at the last graduation ceremony of the University nine of these students passed with first class honours and almost all graduated with a class.

The validation from Edexcel has also opened a new avenue for students who wish to graduate from Sheffield Hallam University.

The students who complete the HND now have the option of partially completing the final year of the degree programme here in Sri Lanka ( four months at SLIIT ) and then transferring to Sheffield halam university to complete the remaining subject units of the degree final year.

Edexcel, a Pearson company, is the UK’s largest awarding body offering academic and vocational qualifications and testing to more than 25,000 schools, colleges, employers and other places of learning here and in over 100 countries worldwide Prof. Gamage is confident that this validation is what helps SLIIT attract many of their students and the fact that they do so well when competing with UK students is a indication of the quality of the programme, faculty and facilities which has prompted the institute to offer a Business Management Degree in partnership with Edexcel from Sheffield Hallam University for a cost of about 10% of the cost of the doing the program in the UK providing true value education.

Prof. Gamage is also confident to grow their relationship with Edexcel in the future to introduce qualifications in the fields of telecom and electronics.

All set for ‘Facets 2007’

Ruzaik Farook

Sri Lanka 2007 one of South Asia’s premier International Gem and Jewellery Shows, will be held from August 30 to September 2, for the 17th consecutive year at the BMICH.

“FACETS Sri Lanka” is the most important event in Sri Lanka’s Gem and Jewellery Calendar where more than 1,000 foreigners visit in addition to the large number of locals over a four day period.

From small beginnings at the Hilton Hotel, the organisers were compelled to move it to the BMICH due to the large number of visitors and due to the demand from the growing number of stall holders.

The BMICH has now reached capacity too, which is food for thought for a very supportive Ministry of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion.

This much awaited show offers an opportunity and exposure to all local exhibitors to present their products to the world. From past experience the world’s best known buyers of genuine precious stones and gems muster strong in Colombo, come September.

The other important factor is that there are a fair number of retailers participating and that enables the average people to visit and make their purchases of jewellery, for any and all occasions, be it as gifts or investments.

The Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association is supported by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board.